Asthma: Day-to-Day Control
Most attacks are preventable with the right routine.
Dr. Hélène Marquet
Pulmonologist
In simple terms
Asthma affects 260 million people. Reliever inhalers alone are no longer the standard for mild disease.
What you need to remember
- Identify triggers — Dust mites, pollen, animal dander
- Warning signs — Increased reliever use, night awakenings, and reduced exercise tolerance signal poor control and warrant medical review.
- Severe asthma — Biologics (omalizumab, mepolizumab, dupilumab) target specific inflammatory pathways and reduce exacerbations in eligible patients.
Global guidelines now recommend an inhaled corticosteroid-formoterol combination even for mild asthma, both as maintenance and as needed.
Identify triggers
- Dust mites, pollen, animal dander
- Cold air and exercise
- Tobacco smoke and pollution
- Viral infections
- Certain NSAIDs in sensitive individuals
Warning signs
Increased reliever use, night awakenings, and reduced exercise tolerance signal poor control and warrant medical review.
Severe asthma
Biologics (omalizumab, mepolizumab, dupilumab) target specific inflammatory pathways and reduce exacerbations in eligible patients.
Correct inhaler technique is as important as the medication itself: ask a pharmacist to check.
The words explained
Medical terms used above, in everyday language.
- Inflammation
- The body's reaction to injury or irritation: redness, swelling, heat or pain.
When should you see a doctor?
- Your symptoms last more than a few weeks or keep coming back.
- They get worse quickly, or stop you doing everyday things.
- You notice sudden pain, breathing trouble, fainting or bleeding — seek urgent care.
- You already take medication and want to change anything about it.
This article explains general health information. It does not replace advice from your own doctor.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Asthma: Day-to-Day Control?
- Asthma affects 260 million people. Reliever inhalers alone are no longer the standard for mild disease.
- What are the main symptoms or signs of Asthma: Day-to-Day Control?
- Common signs vary from person to person. The article above lists the symptoms to watch for, how they progress, and when they need medical attention.
- When should you see a doctor for Asthma: Day-to-Day Control?
- See a doctor if symptoms last more than a few weeks, get worse quickly, stop you doing everyday things, or if you notice sudden pain, breathing trouble, fainting or bleeding.
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